Esther 1:8-9 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house… What a miserable thing it is that we hear sometimes that a man cannot do his business without drinking! "Come and have a drink!" is the beginning of business, and "Come and have a drink!" is the completion of it. What a glutton and a beast a man should be if before he could begin or finish any business he must say, "Come and have a meal!" And is he any better who must always drink something? Surely, when competition is so keen, it is needful that he who buys or sells should keep his wits as clear as God made them. To muddle one's own brain with drink is to play the fool; to muddle another's is to play the knave. (Mark Guy Pearse.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. |
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